Urban Forestry

Menomonie Urban Forestry Board Minutes Wednesday, May 15, 2024 – 1:00pm – Lower-Level Conference Room 58 - City Hall Committee Members Present: Robert Giede (Absent) Keith Gilland (0 ) Barb Hauck (0 hrs.) Monika Herrmann (1.0 hr) Joe Jax (Chair) (3.0 hrs.) Mike Schendel (Absent) Eric Sutherland (Absent) Liz Usborne (Absent) Dave Williams (1.0 hr. ) Guests: Judy Zimmerman Others present: Derek Kahl, City Forester; Megen Hines, Environmental Program Director The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Joe Jax. A sign-up sheet was passed around with names of attendees and their number of volunteer hours worked. April minutes were sent to the committee prior to the meeting and reviewed. Monika made a motion to accept those minutes and Keith seconded. Motion passed. Public Comment: Judy Zimmerman lets the board know that the Arbor Day Celebration was very well done! She also mentions that the Dunn County Extension Office offers tree programs for private citizens of Menomonie. Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant Application: Megen Hines updates the board on the ongoing process for grant eligibility. Megen includes a memo to the board with Grant details, Project Scope and budget information outlined in the attached documents of the minutes. Also attached is the completed Grant application for the board to review. Keith Gilland made a move to approve the submittal of the DNR Urban Forestry grant application as presented and forward to City Council for approval, Barb seconded it. Motion passed. It will now move to City Council for approval. Arbor Day Celebration Recap: Although it was a bit cold there was a good turnout for the celebration at the Menomonie High School East lawn. Urban Forestry Board Chairperson Joe Jax kicked off the event with a Welcome and Opening comments. Board Member Liz Usborne spoke of Menomonie’s Tree and Bird city history. Updates by Keith Gilland about the Galloway Creek Restoration project was given along with a celebration honoring Science teacher Mr. Nate McMahon & his students by presenting the Annual Forest Friends Award for their work on that project. Several news agencies were there to capture the event with articles & pictures of the celebration. Consideration of UFB Meeting date/time Change: There was discussion regarding changing the day and time of the Urban Forestry Board Meetings. At this time, the board agreed to continue to meet at 1pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. City Forester Report: New City Forester Derek Kahl reported that Sixty-Five trees (65) have been transplanted into the gravel bed. The city crew has wrapped up tree removal until Fall. The city continues to grind stumps and has 30 -40 stumps yet to grind. Dirt & seed will follow the removals. Real effort is being made to document all tree removals and new tree plantings in the GIS system by City Staff. City Council Report: The council continues to discuss and write an ordinance for mapping trails for All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) within the City of Menomonie. Items for Next Meeting Agenda: UFB Grant Application; Private Citizens ordering trees thru City Public Funds (bulk rate); Finances/Budget – should it be added to every month’s agenda for a topic of discussion. Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 – 1:00 p.m. in lower level of City Hall – Conference Room 058. Adjournment: A motion was made by Dave Williams and seconded by Monika Herrmann to adjourn. Motion passed. Minutes submitted by Tammy Eckert